Volunteer
For nearly 50 years, Bay Area Legal Services has provided legal assistance to the community through the generosity and support of its volunteers. We depend on volunteers to donate their time and skills to provide pro bono legal services; to serve on our boards and committees; and to support our fundraising projects.
Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program
Since 1982, the Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program (BAVLP) has provided pro bono opportunities for attorneys who want to donate their time and share their expertise to help those in need in our community. The BAVLP collaborates with professional associations, the judiciary, and local bar sections and committees to offer a wide variety of pro bono projects. The BAVLP can help you choose a volunteer opportunity that suits your interests, skills, and availability. Whether you are a litigator or a transactional attorney, a new or experienced attorney, or an attorney with limited time to volunteer, there is a pro bono project that is right for you.
BAVLP - NW
BALS partnered with the Clearwater Bar Association to establish the Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program Northwest office (BAVLP-NW) in January of 2014. BAVLP-NW provides pro bono services to the under-served population of North Pinellas County and West Pasco County. Similar to the original BAVLP in Tampa, attorneys are able to donate their time and share their expertise to help residents of these counties. The BAVLP-NW collaborates with professional associations, law firms, the judiciary and the local bar sections and committees to offer a wide array of pro bono projects. There are a variety of pro bono opportunities available such as litigation, mentorship, and providing legal advice/information at various community resource centers. Whether you are a new or seasoned attorney, we can assist you with choosing a volunteer opportunity that suits your interests, skills, and availability. If you would like to collaborate with BAVLP-NW, we would love to hear from you! To volunteer, contact Nery Alonso at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Pro Bono Attorney Benefits: Volunteer attorneys who participate in a BAVLP pro bono project receive some great benefits, including:
- The opportunity to expand your legal expertise or develop new legal skills
- Training, mentoring, and supervision for many projects
- Clients with meritorious claims who have been pre-screened for eligibility
- Reimbursement for litigation costs and other case-related expenses
- Projects that have been developed to address the legal needs of our community
- CLE credit for some trainings
- The opportunity to network within the legal community
- Liability insurance coverage for BAVLP projects
- An accounting of your pro bono hours for reporting to The Florida Bar
- Acknowledgement and recognition among your peers and the community
- The satisfaction of knowing you helped someone in need
Training: The BAVLP offers free training in a variety of practices and specialties to meet the needs of volunteer attorneys. Training is provided through seminars, online, or by DVD. Some training may qualify for CLE credit. For more information and a schedule of upcoming trainings: www.floridaprobono.org/education/
Judge Don Castor Community Law Center
Volunteer to provide legal and technical assistance to local nonprofits and community groups that serve indigent residents and low-income communities. Eligible organizations are matched with volunteer attorneys who have business-related legal expertise through the Center’s pro bono project, the Community Counsel Program.
BALS and the BAVLP provide volunteer internships and pro bono opportunities for law students.
- For pro bono opportunities, click here.
- For information about internships and projects in Hillsborough County, contact BAVLP at 813.226.8685 ext. 110.
- For information about internships and projects in North Pinellas and Pasco counties, contact BAVLP-NW at 727.490.4040 ext. 202.
- For information about BALS internships, contact BALS at 813.232.1222 ext. 130.
Join our Board of Directors and guide BALS in a fiduciary role while serving as our ambassador in the community. Board members include attorneys and representatives from client-based organizations. Click here for more information about our Board.
Become a member of our Development Council and you can join other community leaders who develop, promote, and support BALS’ fundraising efforts. Click here for more information about the Council.
Help us by becoming a member of our Planned Giving Committee. Members conduct meetings, seminars, and programs to promote financial support of BALS through planned giving. Click here for more information about the Committee.
